HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-15-BLT-min CARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Attendees: Norman Cohen, Joe Pato, Brent Maracle, Judy Crocker Trustees; Koren
Stembridge, Library Director, Cynthia Johnson, Assistant Library Director; Phyllis Brooks,
Friends and Jeanne Krieger, Foundation.
Call to Order: Chairman Norm Cohen called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM
Secretary's Minutes Vote: Norman postponed the vote to the next Board of Trustees
Meeting.
Foundation Update
Jeanne reported:
• Foundation received $227,000 in overall donations in FY 14, $31,000 in
Endowment donations.
• The Annual Appeal is underway
• The Planed Giving Committee is hosting an event on October 26. Each
year attendance increases.
• We will be hosting a donor recognition event in collaboration with
Einstein's Workshop on November 141h
• Kat MacDonald will be presenting a donor analysis at the next Executive
Committee meeting.
Norman commented that is sounds like the Foundation is off to a good start.
Friends Update
Phyllis reported:
• The Friends are hosting a tea for "Door to Door" patrons on October 22, 2014.
• Annual Meeting will take place on November 2, 1014. It is the 25th anniversary of
the CML Friends. Joe Blatt is the speaker focusing on new ways to participate in
lifelong learning. Phyllis invited Trustees to stop by.
• Book Sale starts on November 14th
Norman acknowledged Cynthia Johnson who will be retiring at the end of the month.
Administrative— Financial
On the Municipal side, Koren reported that we are 25 % expended mainly due to our
Minuteman fee which is paid at the beginning of the year. Our Trustee income is
declining by about 30% due to lower fines and fees. We adjusted our free printing
policy; patrons have to pay before the printing job is released. We expect an influx of
income later in the fiscal year from the Foundation and Friends. Our first installment of
State Aid will arrive in November. The Endowment continues to do well.
The Lexington Rotary donated $15,000 toward the laptop classroom. We will do some
branding to recognize them and will be hosting a luncheon later in the year. The library
is a recipient of a check from the Indian Americans of Lexington at their Diwali
celebration.
Norman asked about the Chinese collection. Koren explained that most of our Chinese
materials are purchased from a publishing company in Taiwan. Our Indian materials are
purchased from an English source. Trustees discussed the Chinese collection at the
Concord library. Koren added that possible the collection is funded through a grant.
The library is collaborating with the Chinese American Association of Lexington in
celebrating the Chinese New Year. Our tentative date is January 24, 2015. More details
will be forthcoming.
FY 16 Budget
Koren distributed the FY 16 Program Improvement document. Norman invited
comments.
Jeanne shared that a number of sustaining donors expressed that they are proud to be
supporting the collection. Trustees discussed the materials budget. Joe expressed that
the donated funds should go beyond materials for accreditations and hopefully the
Town appropriation will be closer to 100%. Koren added that we tend to exceed the
13% requirement. She detailed how other Towns spend their funds. Our municipal
budget does not include maintenance which is not the case with most communities.
Norman recalls when we had difficulty getting to the 13%.
Building
Koren detailed a proposal to reconfigure several library spaces:
• Move the teen room from the main level to the fiction area on the lower level.
• Create one service point on the main level, combing the Reference and
Circulation desks.
Brent inquired about the Wi-Fi access on the lower level. Koren reported that we
upgraded the Wi-Fi eliminating dead spots.
Staff and Hiring Update
Cynthia Johnson's official retirement date is October 30, 2014. We are in the midst of
second round interviews for a full time library technician position.
Norman asked Trustees to think about names for submission to the Historic District
Commission representing the library. Trustees discussed some potential names. We
need to come up with two candidates.
Joe Pato made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Brent
Maracle. Motion passed unanimously.